FIVE people have appeared before Blackburn magistrates charged in connection with the demolition of a listed building.

Blackburn magistrates heard the Punch Bowl Inn at Hurst Green was razed to the ground last June without any prior notice being given to the local authority.

Killian Garvey, prosecuting for Ribble Valley Borough Council, said there were two limbs to the prosecution, the demolition of the historic inn without consent and the demolition without giving notice of the intended demolition.

Before the court were Andrew Richard Donelan, 60, Nicola Donelan, 58, and Rebecca Donelan, 28, all of Carr Hall, Whalley New Road, Wilpshire, Blackburn, Brian Richard Ingleby, 69 and David John Cotterell, 59, who both gave their address as Percliff Way, off Philips Road, Blackburn.

Andrew Donelan, Nicola Donelan, Rebecca Donelan and Ingleby are all charged with executing the demolition of the building.

Andrew Donelan, David Cotterell and Brian Ingleby are charged with failing to notify the local authority of the intended demolition.

Donelan Trading, of Carr Hall, and Percliff Plant and Haulage Ltd, of Percliff Way, are charged with executing the demolition and failing to notify the local authority of its intended demolition.

Not guilty pleas were entered to all the charges by all the defendants.

The case was adjourned until April 19 when a case management hearing will be heard before District Judge Alex Boyd before a date is set for a five-day trial.